Finn’s Field Trip

Finn’s Kindergarten class took their first field trip this week and, of course, I went along as a chaperone. The trip is part of a larger Aveson focus of “global competencies” which is a little vague and unwieldy but, as I understand it, basically means helping the kids understand the world. For the youngest kids, this translates into learning about their immediate community, so our trip was to visit the public library, fire station and sheriff’s station. We also got to ride on the city bus — very exciting!

The bus stop is just outside of school, so we walked down and started the wait. Each adult was assigned to a group of kids. Here are my charges for the day: Finn, Charlie, Luca and Morgan.

Waiting for the bus

It took a while for the bus to come …

Waiting ...

But finally it arrived!

Yay! The bus finally arrives!

The Kindergarteners charged onto the mostly empty bus. I inadvertently got a picture of this very stunned lady wondering what just happened to her roomy seat and quiet bus ride.

Stunned lady on the bus

Here’s Finn all the way in the back.

Finn in the way back

Luckily another mom got a great shot of him.

On the bus

We traveled just over a mile on the bus and then walked about a half mile from the bus stop to the public library. Here’s my favorite picture of Finn and Charlie on the walk.

Finn and Charlie walking

At the library, we started with story time.

Library story time

And then got a tour of the library and a chance to look at some books.

Library tour

Next, we walked over to the fire station and got a tour of the whole facility. Finn was thrilled that we not only got to see the fire trucks, but we got to see where the fire fighters live when they are on duty.

At the fire station

In the kitchen

Showing all their tools

Fireman's presentation

The kids were particularly enthralled watching this firefighter put on his gear. We’ve seen a similar demonstration before when the firefighters visited Cottage and they do a good job of making sure the kids aren’t scared by the mask and equipment.

Putting on his gear

Fire man in full gear

Fireman in full gear

By this point (about 11:15) the kids, having skipped snack time, were starving so we walked up to the community center and had lunch.

Lunch time

Then a couple of sheriffs came over to chat with the kids and answer questions.

Listening to the sherrifs

But the best part of the sheriffs’ visit was that they brought their car and let the kids climb through it. Here’s Finn in the back seat. Hopefully this will be the only time in his life that he finds himself in the back seat of a police car.

Finn in the back of the sheriff's car

Climbing out of the sheriff's car

Soon enough we were back at the bus stop waiting for the bus back to school. Ms. Jessica led the kids in some songs to pass the time. Here’s part of the Fall song — the boys are making trees with their hands.

Singing the Fall song waiting for the bus

And finally, back on the bus!

On the bus back to school

We made it back to school safely right at lunch recess time so the kids took off to play. I came home and promptly fell asleep on the couch. Kindergarteners are exhausting! My hat is off to their teachers.